Cancer Therapy : Preclinical Concomitant BRAFandPI 3 K / mTORBlockade IsRequired for Effective Treatment of BRAFV 600 E Colorectal Cancer

Purpose: BRAF mutations are associated with poor clinical prognosis in colorectal cancer (CRC). Although selective BRAF inhibitors are effective for treatment ofmelanoma, comparable efforts inCRChave been disappointing. Here, we investigated potential mechanisms underlying this resistance to BRAF inhibitors in BRAF CRC. Experimental Design: We examined phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/mTOR signaling in BRAF CRC cell lines after BRAF inhibition and cell viability and apoptosis after combined BRAF and PI3K/mTOR inhibition. We assessed the efficacy of in vivo combination treatment using a novel genetically engineered mouse model (GEMM) for BRAF CRC. Results: Western blot analysis revealed sustained PI3K/mTOR signaling upon BRAF inhibition. Our BRAF GEMM presented with sessile serrated adenomas/polyps, as seen in humans. Combination treatment in vivo resulted in induction of apoptosis and tumor regression. Conclusions: We have established a novel GEMM to interrogate BRAF CRC biology and identify more efficacious treatment strategies. Combination BRAF and PI3K/mTOR inhibitor treatment should be explored in clinical trials. Clin Cancer Res; 19(10); 2688–98. 2013 AACR.